What is Ice?

“Ice is, by definition, a Site Specific Browser [SSB] that Peppermint creator Kendall Weaver wrote himself as a means to launch Web Applications and/or Cloud Applications [SaaS – Software As A Service, PaaS – Platform as a Service] from the new Peppermint Ice OS. When you launch a web based application using Ice it will call up a custom SSB using the defaultChromium Browser. So, essentially, the Ice SSB acts as software that is installed locally but is actually delivered via the Web.

The difference in using an SSB as opposed to using a tabbed browser is that only one function is assigned to the Ice SSB. In a tabbed browsing system, with several open for example, if one service or site in any given tab crashes you run the risk of losing data by crashing the other tabs and potentially the browser itself. since an SSB is isolated and dedicated to only operating the web application of your choice, if it crashes or hangs, it does not effect the rest of the system. And, because the Ice SSB’s are so sleek, they are perfect for running apps that display better using the most screen area as possible.”

The latest release is Peppermint-Ice-10012010, it is the first respin of Peppermint “Ice” release. This new release “offers a fully updated system as of October 1st, 2010 and comes with a number of bug fixes, some new features, and some other miscellaneous goodies. The default Linux kernel has been updated to version 2.6.35. In an effort to continually try to offer the best possible hardware support, we felt this was a good move for the Ice release. A number of lower-level updates, such as Grep 2.7.0, Samba 3.5.5, File 5.04, FreeType 2.4.2 and others have been implemented in order to offer a more up-to-date system while remaining on the Ubuntu LTS code base.” Read the complete release announcement for further information.

Peppermint OS is one of those hybrid operating systems, offering functionality both locally and in the cloud. It’s crucial for users to be aware of the risks and advantages of taking it to the cloud. We at the csskguide.org take a look at the security issues surrounding cloud computing and help prepare candidates for the CCSK Cloud Security Certification.